The Palette of Narmer is made from greenschist, and the palette’s height is 25”. Despite being a relatively small work, several figures are pictured on the palette from both sides in vertical compositions. The artwork uses a low relief technique, in which objects are slightly lifted from the background. The central part of the palette’s back view depicts the composite view of a powerful pharaoh and another man, pictured in a kneeling position. The pharaoh is wearing a crown and a beard, and he is holding a staff in his right hand. The picture’s composition can be described as hierarchic, as it features three distinct levels. The upper side features symmetric images of bull heads with human-like faces shown from the frontal view. The fact that the creatures are shown above pharaoh in hierarchy emphasizes their divine origin. In this case, the bulls represent Hathor, the goddess of fertility and love. Another god, Horus, is pictured as a falcon on the pharaoh’s right side. Lastly, the lower part of the palette pictures other ordinary people visually similar to the kneeling man, running away from the pharaoh’s wrath.
The artwork utilizes a hierarchic scale, with the pharaoh’s figure being significantly bigger than other characters. The scale emphasizes the pharaoh’s power over people and the greatness of his act. The artwork can be described as a stylized image as it features details unseen in real life, such as bull heads with human faces. While the images of people are clear, their bodies are simplified and lack details. Lastly, in addition to symmetrically placed images of gods, the upper side of the palette includes a hieroglyphic spelling of the name Narmer, which can be used to identify the pharaoh depicted in the artwork.